Attack on Fort Randolph

"Narrative by Captain John Stuart of General Andrew Lewis' Expedition Against the Indians
in the Year 1774, and of the Battle of Pleasant Point, Virginia," in Magazine of American
History, November 1877

The next year, 1778, in the Month of May, a small party of Indians again appeared near the
Garrison, and showed themselves, but soon decamped apparently in great Terror; but the Garrison was
aware of their Seduction, and no one was ordered to pursue them. Finding their Scheme was not likely
to succeed, all their whole Army rose up at once, and showed themselves, extending across from the
Bank of the Ohio, to the Bank of the Kanahway, and commenced a fire on the Garrison, which lasted
several Hours, but without Effect. At Length, one of them had the Presumption to advance so near the
Fort, as to request the Favour of being permitted to come in, to which Capt. McKee granted his
Assent, and the Stranger very composedly walked in. Capt. Arbuckle was then absent on a Visit to
Greenbrier to see his Family. During the Time the strange Gentleman was in the Fort, a Gun went off in
the Fort by an Accident. The Indians without raised a hideous Yell, supposing the Fellow was Killed in
the Fort; but he instantly jumped up in one of the Bastions and showed himself, giving the sign that all
was well, and reconciled his Friends. Finding they could make no Impression on the Garrison, they
concluded to come on to Greenbrier, and collecting all the Cattle about the Garrison for provision on
their March, started up the Kanahway in great military parade to finish their Campaign, and take
Vengeance of us for the Death of the Cornstalk; but Capt. McKee perceiving their Design by the Route
they were pursuing, despatched Philip Hammon and John Pryor, after them with Orders, if possible, to
pass them undiscovered, and give the inhabitants notice of their Approach.